Columbia Early College High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025, recognizing 49 students for completing their high school education. Thanks to the school’s dual enrollment partnership with Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC), many graduates also earned college credentials before receiving their diplomas.
Graduates Earn College Degrees, Save on Tuition
Ten graduates earned associate degrees or certificates through Beaufort CCC and were recognized during the college’s commencement ceremony on May 8. In total, 37 members of the Class of 2025 completed 893 college credit hours, saving approximately $77,691 in tuition costs.
Students who did not finish a credential still have the option to remain for a fifth year to complete their associate degree or transfer credits to a university. This flexible path allows students to reduce time and expense on their higher education journey.
Scholarship Awards and Academic Honors
The Class of 2025 collectively received $207,199 in scholarships to support their continued education. Notable academic honors included:
- Karen Santibanez-Castaneda, valedictorian and Beaufort CCC summa cum laude graduate (4.0 GPA)
- Yulissa Ochoa-Gonzalez, salutatorian
- Brody Fleming, recipient of the Beatrice Calderon Citizenship Award
- Ethan Basnight, recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Achievement
- Reagan Atkinson and Karen Santibanez-Castaneda, recipients of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence
College Credential Recipients
The following students earned college degrees or certifications through Beaufort CCC:
- Reagan Atkinson
- Jada Brickhouse
- Sania Crandell
- Jacob Davenport
- Brody Fleming
- Yulissa Ochoa-Gonzalez
- Karen Santibanez-Castaneda
- Alex Sevilla Raygoza
- Kayla Spencer
- Aleigha Sykes
A Flexible Path to College Success
Columbia Early College High School is one of several partner schools in Beaufort CCC’s service area. Students at Columbia ECHS may choose to complete a fifth year to finish a college credential. This year, nine students opted to return for a fifth year to continue earning college credits.
The dual enrollment model allows students to personalize their educational experience. While some students follow a traditional four-year high school path, most graduates in the Class of 2025 left with at least some college credit already earned.
Expanding Access Through Partnership
Beaufort CCC partners with Columbia ECHS, Washington County Early College High School, Hyde Academy, and Beaufort County Early College High School to provide free college courses through Career and College Promise. Eligible students from across the region can take advantage of this opportunity to get a head start on their college journey.
Beaufort CCC congratulates the Class of 2025 on their achievements and wishes them continued success.